Sir, – I refer to the nauseating presidential debate aired by RTÉ on October 12th, chaired by Miriam O’Callaghan.
I cannot recall when I viewed a less objective television programme on a very important matter. I accept that when a person offers themselves for the position of the president of the State that there is an understanding that aspects of their life will be questioned by the media to enable the voting public to form their opinion. I do not believe that this issue should include questioning candidates on detailed aspects of their religion such as confession attendance, former actions of a political party they may be a member of and personal matters relating to a candidate’s family.
I do not believe that the level of intrusion by RTÉ in the presidential candidates’ lives to date will assist the electorate in forming their opinions.
I fear that the moral hazard for the public by the questionable approach by RTÉ is that future potential candidates for this office, or any other public office, may not offer themselves for these positions and as a result the public will be at a loss.
The Irish public is a sophisticated electorate and does not require these sensationalist interviews to form its opinion on a presidential candidate. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Looking at the presidential debate on October 12th, the words used by Harry S Truman, former president of the United States, came to mind; “If you can’t stand the heat, you better get out of the kitchen”.
Should Dana Rosemary Scallon, for her own sake, consider these words? – Yours, etc.
HUGH HANNON,
Sidmonton Road,
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – It is distressing to think that so many of our electorate would even consider electing a member of the Sinn Féin party to the highest office in the land, and commander of our Army, given that it is only very recently they begrudgingly stated that, and I quote, “The killing of Garda Jerry McCabe, [not the murder], was wrong”. This organisation has through its other senior members over the years refused to condemn the murders of our Garda, Army and civilians.
It’s a frightening proposition that Martin McGuinness might be head of our country and Army and to date we have been unable to extract a full CV from him.
Throughout the 1970s, I, as a member of An Garda Síochána and based on the Derry border, pursued Mr McGuinness, who was known as the leader of the IRA in Derry. Under his control terrible atrocities were committed.
Events at the time that spring to mind are the bombing of Bellaghy village in Co Derry, the killing and maiming scores of people and the murder with a magnum revolver of two RUC members, one a Catholic and the other a Protestant, at a family celebration in front of their children.
Mr McGuinness is being very disingenuous with the people of Ireland, but of course this is nothing new.
We must, even at this late stage, ask him to fill in the large gaps in his CV for the post applied for. – Yours, etc,
MATTHEW A FARRELL,
Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 6.
A chara, – I refer to David Kelly’s letter regarding the regrettable death of his father as a member of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) in 1983, allegedly at the hands of an Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit, and his contention that Mr McGuinness, as a supposed member of a presumed IRA army council, is somehow aware of the identity of those involved.
As a member of the PDF from 1977 to 1980, I recall coverage of the incident in the media, and being as saddened as much as anyone else at the loss of such life. Alas, membership of all armies or defence forces is a peculiarly hazardous occupation, as I recall being reminded often enough before pay parades on Friday mornings.
While the loss of all life is profoundly disturbing and distressing, the use of such death for electoral advantage is more pernicious and insidious.
In the interests of justice and fair play, perhaps Mr Kelly could tell the electorate of this State, (which is about to elect the commander-in-chief of the Defence Forces), if he knowingly or unknowingly is allowing his father’s death to be used for anyone’s political gain? Citizens have a right to character and reputation. Courts of criminal justice are the appropriate fora for prosecuting alleged offences.
Accused are entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Burden of proof in a criminal trial is beyond all reasonable doubt. In some sections of the media one is guilty by suspicion – until proven innocent, particularly if a working-class lad from Derry with ideas above his station.
Given the concerted campaign against a McGuinness presidency in almost the entire Southern media, and the highly subjective journalism readers are consistently exposed to, I wouldn’t be optimistic about having this letter published anytime soon, or confident that all candidates are enjoying equal opportunities. – Is mise,
CIARAN MAC AODHA-O CINNEIDE MA (ex-MP Cpl),
Bothar Brid Teampaillchriost
Baile Átha Cliath 8.
Sir, – It makes me very sad that the concentrated criticism of one small part of David Norris’s life, his lifelong efforts to make this country a better, fairer place, has been ignored.
This is a man who, with others, founded the Hirschfield Centre where young gay people could meet in safety. Safety being so necessary in the days when young gay men were criminals in the eyes of the law. There are many parents very grateful for that alone.
He helped get the law changed. He has been a leading light for human rights in the world. He is a Joycean scholar. He is a brave man with a great wit. No other candidate can match him. He would make a sparkling president. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – “Chuckle ar lá” – McGuinness in the Park, heaven forbid. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Owen Corrigan stated (October 5th) on the matter of Michael D Higgins’s age – 70 – that Ronald Reagan was the same age in the first year of his presidency – a much more demanding role. Éamon de Valera was about 77 in the first year of his 14 years as President of Ireland. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – A peacemaker for president, how good it would be to see. Could we hear what his strident critics and accusers have done, some of whom have been receiving comfortable incomes from the generous taxpayers of this country? Thank you, Mr McGuinness. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Could someone please ask Martin McGuinness a simple yes/no question: Was Gerry Adams ever a member of the IRA? If Mr McGuinness answers truthfully, he will find himself an ex-member of Sinn Féin but he can then start a new party called Martin Féin after the man who alone, brought about the “Peace Process” in Northern Ireland. – Yours, etc,
DES FLANAGAN,
Cornavarrow Road,
Drumquin, Co Tyrone.
A chara, – I would like to compliment all seven candidates running for presidency. While I have my favourites, I believe that any one of these accomplished candidates would make a capable president. – Is mise,
JENNY MULVEY,
Rahard, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo.
Sir, – Would it be too much to ask Gay Mitchell to kindly refrain from repeating ad nauseam that he was one of nine children from a working class background in Dublin who pulled himself up by his bootstraps and made a success of his life? Having nine children in the Ireland of the 1930s and 1940s was not unusual. Indeed, there would be instances where some women lost that number of children at birth.
If the criterion for being elected president of Ireland was to have emerged relatively unscathed from the poverty of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, there would be as many candidates for the Park job as attended the Papal Mass there in 1979. Why does Mr Mitchell continually make a virtue of his background? His was no different than most. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Watching this presidential farce takes me back to that Eurovision of two years ago. I am so disappointed that Dustin the Turkey isn’t in the race. As just another chancer with a funny voice, it would have stood as good a chance, and done as good a job, of representing us at the UN as it did at Eurovision. At least it is less evasive than the others seem to be. – Yours, etc,